NATIVITY 2 B: Ideas to help the whole family relate to the RCL readings

Have a Blessed Christmas. May the story speak anew to you this season.

This is a page that has collated ideas that suport the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings, which are theologically and developmentally approriate, saving you time in finding resources admist this busy season, be it those in paid church employment or families looking for resources. If you use this page please refer to it as appropriate.

We are entering a new season and you will notice that the colour for the season of Christmas is White ( if you find this offensive please feel free to use gold this season.) The season of Christmas starts on the 24th of Decemeber and there are 3 RCL readings for the 24th and 25th of December Services. If you can check with the congregation you are worshipping with either physically or virtually this season to see which reading they will be using it may help your preparation.

I will post on each of these options, Nativity 1B, 2B, 3B and there is a general Christmas page if you are unsure what the readings might be. If you would like to start with some singing there are some songs that you may enjoy on this page, as well as some Christmas stories, and genral activity and colouring in pages.

If at home prepare a worship space, place a white table cloth, your advent candles, and light the final white Christ candle today. You may also include any items that help you concentrate on the season of Christmas.

PRAY:

God came into our life,

shining light into the night

We welcome God’s gift

Jesus today

Amen

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:6-12

READ/WATCH: God’s Great Love by Rick Warren I chose this book becasue this reading in Isaiah reminds us of all the things that God would do for his people

PLAY; with blocks, build something wonderful, What do you think God finds wonderful?

PLay with a nativity set? (If you don’t have one you can make one

Free Printable Nativity Craft For Kids

What do you find wondeful? What did God do that was wonderful?

PSALM 97

Psalm 97: Rejoice, the Lord is King!

​
Rejoice! The Lord is King! (Star Jump beep bow)
Lift up your heart,  (raise your arms high above your head)
lift up your voice; rejoice;  (open your mouth wide)
again I say, rejoice. (Star Jump)

Power! All the forces in the planet (Show your muscles)
are powered by the Lord. (put your hands in the prayer position)
Love! All the love in the universe (Make a love heart with your hands)
flows from the Lord. (Open your hands out)
Joy! All the happiness in the world (Jump)
is given by the Lord. (hands in prayer position)
Thanks! All our thanks we give back to you. (look up hands out wide)

Words by https://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-97-rejoice-the-lord-is-king.html read her statement on her page about her influences. Actions (in Italics) by me.

DO: Describe those feelings, Show how these feelings look like in your body or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/

SECOND READING: Titus 3:4-7

READ/WATCH: Horton Hears a Who by Dr Suess I chose this book becasue Titus reminds us that it is not our actions but God’s mercy.(v. 5) And this reminded me of Horton, he could have walked away but he choose to be mercifal and help the Who’s.

SING https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/practise-being-godly-dvd Titus $AUS2.50

PRAY:

Oh Merciful God,

Thank you

that you care so much you

YOu sent your Son,

and made us part of your family

Amen

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 2 (1-7), 8-20

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO_ubBfLc9Q&fbclid=IwAR3jjGt1RCwHquKpsPWPZTIPOaA_YTvaRo5L0bBovRKThYhbbohqC78tUMU

SING Joy

OR Angels singin’ Glory https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/king-of-christmas-dvd $Aus2.50

MAKE: Sheep and Shepherds. Make a field of Sheep and some shepherds and

Make some Angel https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/11/04/how-to-make-an-angel-craft-video/

OR anything from the general Christmas page.

Have a Blessed Christmas

Wendy L.

(if you could acknowledge this page I’d appreciate the recommendation)

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Christmas Day 2 Year C: Ideas to help you and your 3’s and under enjoy church and relate to the RCL readings

There are 3 Reading options suggested for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. I will post for each set of readings over the coming days.

If you are a small congregation please feel free to print these pages and hand them to parents as they arrive.

If you are a parent or guardian, check with the church you are attending as to what readings they will be using at their services, this will make it easier on you if you can prepare in advance.

I will also post some Christmas Day service general ideas for those who visit a congregation that does not use the Revised Common Lectionary.

No matter where you are or where you go, the important part is that you enjoy this holy day together.

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle.

 Also leave when you need to but make sure you return quickly.

 You and your child/ren have as much right to worship as any other member of the congregation.

 

Point out the change in the colours in the church, they should now be White, no longer purple, as we have stopped waiting, Christmas has come.

Remember every parent/guardian, even Holy ones, will be sleep deprived Christmas Morning. So be kind to yourself.

FIRST READING: Isiah 62:6-12

READ/SING: ALL things bright and beautiful http://www.authenticmedia.co.uk/search/product/all-things-bright-and-beautiful-dawn-machell-illus/9781860249815.jhtml see the video at the bottom. or if have time buy form Koorong https://www.koorong.com/search/product/all-things-bright-and-beautiful-dawn-machell-illus/9781860249815.jhtml

DRAW: all the beautiful things that God gives, even a baby. You could draw a bow and a cross on the paper ( like a bow around a present as seen from above) then your child can draw in each segment.

PRAY: Hold up Five fingers and found down 5 things that God gave you.

PSALM 97

READ: Psalm 97: Rejoice, the Lord is King!

​
Rejoice! The Lord is King!
Lift up your heart,
lift up your voice; rejoice;
again I say, rejoice.

Power! All the forces in the planet (make your hand into fists, band them one on top of the other)
are powered by the Lord.
Love! All the love in the universe (make a heart shape with your hands)
flows from the Lord.
Joy! All the happiness in the world (Throw your arms out and to the side)
is given by the Lord.
Thanks! All our thanks we give back to you.( hold your hands wide open at shoulder height)

from Rev Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-97-rejoice-the-lord-is-king.html

DO: Does this Psalm make you feel Happy or Sad? Make a face to show which one you feel.

SECOND READING: TITUS 3: 4-7

READ/WATCH CAN I BE YOUR DOG? BY TONY CUMMINGS

found from http://www.picturebooktheology.com/search/label/adoption

PLAY: play families, either with a nativity set, or a set of family dolls, or animals etc.

PRAY: Use the nativity to suggest a prayer for each person represented ie for the baby to have a safe home to grow up in, ie for dad to love Mum, for people to care enough to find you etc. (if you do not have a play nativity you can make one here http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/ (Hint if you print on heavy paper you do not need the toilet rolls. For hygiene reasons if sharing with others use cardboard rolls.)

GOSPEL: Luke 2(1-7), 8-20

READ: Jed and Roy McCoy by Andrew McDonough https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/jed-and-roy-mccoy-a-christmas-story/

DO: there are some free activities at the end of the story, or for about $A5 you can purchase a downloadable package that has more than enough activities for all ages.

SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-christmas-ep/# NO.6

Prepare a special church bag in advance so that you are ready for the rush on Monday Night or Tuesday Morning.

TO Do LIST:

You might need to bring with you

Child’s nativity

family play toys such as dolls, or animals

texta’s

drawing paper

You might want to download

and buy the activity sheet at the the end of https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/jed-and-roy-mccoy-a-christmas-story/

http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids